Monday, April 16, 2012

Preaching to the Choir: GSPEL Spread in Warren, MI

Not Actual TARDEC Scientists

Big week in DOD energy last week with announcements from the White House and
Warren, MI. The pronouncements from the Potomac to the shores of Lake St Clair charted DOD’s course for infrastructure, transportation
and operational energy. First, to
the outskirts of the Motor City.

The Army’s Tank and Automotive Research and Development
Command, TARDEC opened an 8 in 1, Swiss Army
knife of a lab. The new 34K sqft
facility has been years in development and was unveiled with smoke, flashing
lights and music, but no visible dogs or ponies. The lab encompasses test facilities for research
and testing to be conducted on electrical systems, heating and cooling
components, fuel cells, hybrid electric powertrains and advanced batteries. Although focused on mobility systems, the new
Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory (acronym: GSPEL) could provide testing
facilities for smart power distribution systems and larger scale energy
storage. It will be able to provide for
testing under extremes in temperature and other climatic conditions. Any device certified as truly working could receive
a big stamp: GSPEL TRUTH. Or maybe not.

Senator Levin, (D-MI) has been a god father for the project
to the tune of about $30-40 million in federal funding – including $15 million
from the 2009 stimulus legislation. GSPEL increases the available lab space at
TARDEC for the development of new engines, fuel cells and energy storage
devices that the Army has been pursuing. All of these technologies have direct and critical
military applications AND positive benefit for the civilian world. Maybe Clint was right; it is time for the
second half and Michigan, not just Detroit, is back!

More to follow on other news, to include promises in
gigawatts, ARPA Energizer Bunnies and why the President is riding the good
horse, DOD in the energy race. If you are anywhere near the Denver convention
center, 17 Apr 12 around 0800 MST, drop in an say hello. It will be me and a thousand of my newest
buddies chatting about Biomass. Dan Nolan

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About

This blog tracks the energy challenges facing the US Department of Defense in the early 21st century. Drawing from the best thinking inside and outside the Pentagon, it examines problems and identifies possible short, medium and long term solutions in technology and policy.

Andy Bochman runs the DOD Energy Blog and can be reached at andybochman at gmail dot com